Archive of Our Own

Iruka should have realized that life just wouldn’t let them have nice things. After finally managing to extract themselves from the crowd, they’d gone to grab some much needed food only to find this. Smoke billows from the burned ruins of Ichiraku. It had been spared most of the damage that other parts of Konoha had sustained, but in the attack, it had been hit with a Katon. Fire added with the wood of the building and the fuel used to keep their fires burning had ignited the small stall and sent it up in flames.

“No,” Naruto moans out, staring in disbelief at the ruined ramen stall.

“Are you both okay?” Iruka asks Teuchi and Ayame who are standing off to the side. He can see a pile of cooking wares and other bits and pieces. The two had obviously had enough time to grab some things before it went up in flames.

“We’re fine, Iruka-sensei. Don’t worry, Naruto-kun. We’ll be back up and running again in no time. Until we get a proper building though, we’re going to set up in a tent, but it might be a few days before we’re running again,” Teuchi apologizes with a faint bow.

“Teuchi-san, it’s fine. We’re just glad you’re both okay,” Iruka says with a smile before he starts to drag Naruto away.

“Iruka-nii,” Naruto cries softly, sniffing miserably.

“You’ll survive without ramen,” Iruka reminds him and shoves a ration bar into his hands to eat, biting into his own as his body reminds him he just expanded a lot of energy today. The others huff, well aware that Iruka is also sad, having been looking forward to his favorite food as well. “We should probably see if our apartment survived,” Iruka admits.

The heaviest damage had been towards the southern portion of the village, so thankfully, a lot of the central portion of the village, where much of the governing of the village happened had been spared though not without damage. That last attack on Naruto had scattered huge boulders all over the village, as well as the damage from the main attack. He can see shinobi rushing about, putting out fires and rescuing people from collapsed buildings that didn’t quite make it to the shelters before the main attack happened.

They turn towards their apartment building and Iruka’s heart sinks a little. The upper three floors have fallen away, knocked off by flying debris to land in a crumpled pile on the street and partially onto another building. The rest is still standing, but it’s leaning precariously.

Tenzo walks ahead of them and with a few fast hand signs, four thick pillars of wood shoot up at the corners of the building before vine like branches wind out to wrap the whole structure, stabilizing it. “You two gather what you can quickly. We’ll help with anyone else trying to grab what they can,” Shisui says and they nod before splitting off.

Iruka and Naruto use the wooden supports to aim for their balcony, half of it sheered away. Sticking to the wall, Iruka manages to just unravel the wards rather than trying to search for his key. It’s not like he needs the wards up right now. They can’t stay here any longer.

Once the wards are down, Iruka tries to open the window but it won’t budge. A closer check shows the track has warped slightly from its original straight line. Sighing, he pulls out a kunai and shatters the window, letting glass fall inward.

They crawl into their home and look around. Cracks snake across the ceiling as the floor above threatens to collapse. Gathering a bit of chakra, Iruka jumps and touches the ceiling, a seal blooming across it. That should hold the ceiling for a bit so they can get their stuff. Aiming for the closest Iruka pulls out his largest storage scrolls he’s ever made. They should be able to carry anything they want to take with them, even furniture.

Iruka tosses one to Naruto. “Pack quickly,” he advises and Naruto nods, rushing to his room. Iruka starts in the kitchen. He’s not going to take much. They can always replace any broken dishware, but he grabs enough for them if they have to stay in a tent for now. The furniture as well, he ignores. He does grab the food from the fridge and cupboards. Best not let that go to waste. Who knows when the next shipment of food will be and there’s a lot of hungry mouths to feed whose homes were just destroyed.

He makes a pass through the living room for anything he might want from there, but aside from some books, there’s not much he wants. He does grab the photos from the walls. He pulls one down in particular, taken after Naruto’s graduation from the academy. Smiling, he seals it with the others before turning to his own room.

He quickly seals everything he will need: books, clothes, gears, his ANBU stuff, futon, knickknacks he’d like to keep, he stash of money. The room looks bare after he finishes going through it, just empty shelves and a bare floor. It’s strange, after so many years living here to be leaving.

Naruto comes out a few seconds after him, scroll tucked into his backpack and Mr. Ukki held protectively in his arms. “We’re will we stay?” Naruto asks, looking around.

“We’ll figure that out soon. But we need to get out of here,” Iruka says and Naruto nods, following him out of the building and down to the road. There’s a crowd of people milling about with whatever they could take in the short time given. Shisui and the others are helping a few stragglers come out before an ominous cracking sound echoes around them.

“Back up,” Iruka calls out and the crowd of people shuffles back away from the building. Even with Tenzo’s wood supporting the building, it took too much damage and as they watch, the building seems to collapse in on itself, thankfully the wooden web keeping any debris from flying at them.

“Well,” Iruka mutters.

“They were starting to set up tents on the eastern side of the village,” Itachi murmurs and they start herding the civilians that way, helping where they can to carry things for them.

There is already a well-organized system in place as they arrive and they leave the civilians to be looked after as they all head towards the center of the village, looking to see how the rest of the village fared.

As they pass by the hospital, they can see quite a few genin running around helping the medics, the hospital filled to capacity with wounded. Iruka spots a familiar dark head of hair and calls out, “Shizune-san.”

The healer looks their way and smiles wanly before stepping over to them. “How bad is it?” Shisui asks, eyes flicking over the organized chaos.

Shizune sighs, running a hand through her disheveled hair. “Not as bad as it could have been. We at least have power. We lost it for a little while there. Whatever Pain did in bringing people back healed a lot of injuries, but there were still a lot who were hurt that didn’t die. We’re managing, but…,” she trails off.

“What?” Iruka asks softly.

“Come with me,” she says simply and they follow silently behind her into the hospital. The noise is even louder inside as people shout and yell to be heard. Children cry and scream while adults sit near silently, in shock or attempting to sooth the children. They head up to one of the upper floors, passing by a section of the hospital that has been blocked off. They can just see the cracked and broken walls and floors where some debris struck.

They stop at the room Jiraiya had been stuck in and Shizune motions them inside. They find a second bed added to the room, Tsunade lying on it hooked up to various machines. Her henge is gone and her true self is visible to any that looked.

“She gave everything to heal as many as possible with Katsuyu in the first wave of the assault. More would have died if not for her. We…we don’t know if she’ll wake up,” Shizune admits.

“Baa-chan,” Naruto whispers, sniffing.

“Who’s running the village?” Kakashi asks evenly.

“Right now, Inoichi, Shikaku, Fugaku and Cat are seeing to the governing. They were called away for an emergency council meeting with the Daimyo, though I don’t know what about,” she admits.

“Probably the next Hokage,” Itachi murmurs and all eye glance at him.

“But Baa-chan is right here. She’s not dead,” Naruto insists.

“There’s no guarantee she’ll wake up,” Iruka murmurs, “and we need a Hokage now more than ever. We’re vulnerable and open to attack should the other villages see an opportunity for easy pickings,” Iruka explains.

“That’s not fair,” Naruto whispers, wiping at his eyes angrily.

“Sometimes, we don’t get a say in what is fair,” Itachi reminds him and the room grows somber for a moment.

“Well, we won’t know for a bit who they choose. Let’s focus on finding a place to stay for the moment and then helping how we can,” Iruka says diplomatically and the group as a whole nods. “Shizune, will you send someone for me if either of them wakes up?” he asks the healer.

“Of course,” Shizune agrees with a smile.

With that, the group steps out to continue looking around the village. Eventually, they come to the Hatake Compound. The main building is destroyed, a large boulder having crushed most of it, but the grounds, wards and the walls are still sound.

“Are you okay?” Iruka asks Kakashi quietly as they set up some tents not long after arriving. Naruto had gone to the well to grab some water for them to use for cooking and cleaning. Shisui and Itachi had left to help clean up the Uchiha Compound and only Tenzo remains, the man poking around the crushed building to try and salvage what he can.

“About the house?” Kakashi asks and Iruka nods. “Honestly, I’m glad,” he admits, grey eye darkening as he glances at the wrecked building. “I could never bring myself to tear it down, too many memories and ghosts. This…I don’t think I ever would have gone through with it. Maybe I can rebuild something new. A fresh start so to speak,” he admits with a shrug.

“I’m sure Tenzo wouldn’t mind giving a hand. He’s always wanted to build a house from scratch,” Iruka huffs out and Kakashi snorts. The sound of shifting rubble has them glancing to see Tenzo growing wooden supports to shift and roll the large boulder off the rubble and to the side.

Naruto finally comes back with a bucket of water. “Why is your well so far away, Kakashi-sensei?” he grumbles.

“Because I had indoor plumbing,” Kakashi reminds him and Iruka snorts, for some reason finding the comment hilarious. They finish setting up the tents as Tenzo and Kakashi start to sift through the debris.

~*~

Iruka’s in the middle of helping to shift some rubble to clear an area when he feels the presence appear behind him. “Umino-san,” the ANBU says softly. “Your presence is required at a council meeting.”

“Should I bring Naruto?” Iruka asks, guessing what this is about.

“Yes,” they nod.

“We’ll be there. Thank you Hare,” he adds and Hare nods before disappearing again to wherever they are needed next. Sighing, Iruka rubs at his eyes and then casts out to find Naruto. Last he saw, he was helping break down some of the larger boulders and move them. It’s only been three days since the attack and they’ve barely scrapped the surface of repairing the village.

It’s not hard to find the bright sun that is Naruto’s chakra and he heads that way. “Naruto,” Iruka calls out and the blonde looks his way from amongst a horde of clones all moving chunks of rubble to a pile off to the side. A group of genin are sifting through what is brought, salvaging what they can and then carting the rest away to be disposed of elsewhere or repurposed for something else.

“Iruka-nii,” Naruto waves before leaving his clones to keep helping before bounding over to Iruka.

“We’ve got to go, Naruto. They need us at a council meeting,” Iruka murmurs softly.

Naruto frowns and nods. “Okay,” he says. Sending a few orders through his clones, he follows Iruka towards the Hokage Tower, one of the few buildings undamaged by the attack, though Iruka has seen the seals laid on the building. It would take a lot more than what happened to bring it down.

Reaching the right floor Iruka feels a little knot of apprehension in his gut, a reflex from so many bad memories of this room. He knocks and opens the door when someone calls out. Inside, they find Shikaku, Inoichi, Fugaku and Cat arranged around the table. So is Kakashi, the man lazing on one of the couches. Four ANBU take up the corners and Iruka recognizes Shisui, Itachi, and Tenzo’s masks.

“You sent for us?” Iruka states simply.

“Yes, please sit you two,” Shikaku orders and they do.

“I’m sure you have already guessed why we have called you three,” Inoichi starts off with and no one denies his statement. “With Tsunade still in a coma and Jiraiya unable to take the mantle of Hokage, even temporarily, we needed to determine a leader in the off chance that Godaime-sama does not wake up,” Inoichi states bluntly and Naruto shifts angrily, but doesn’t speak up.

“We have been away speaking with the Daimyo and his council to determine whom will be next in line to take over for Tsunade. As well, she had already chosen her successor, though she hadn’t started to train them yet,” Shikaku adds.

“So who’s the unlucky bastard to take over?” Kakashi drawls out and all four of them turn to look at Kakashi.

“It would seem Tsunade-sama, in her infinite wisdom, had selected you, Hatake-san,” Fugaku says with a sour twist to his mouth.

“What?” Naruto yelps out in shock and Iruka watches as Kakashi seems to process Fugaku’s words and pales a little.

“You’re kidding, right?” Kakashi demands.

“No,” Shikaku states bluntly with a bit of a smirk at Kakashi’s panic. “Of those even strong enough to be considered for the position, you have not only the most experience, but are the oldest. The council did consider Iruka for a moment,” Iruka sputters at those words, “but the Daimyo was reluctant to allow a Jinchuuriki to be Hokage. We also know Iruka would have rebelled and run off rather than take up the hat. And, no Naruto, you’re too young and not high enough rank to be considered for the position,” Shikaku states before Naruto can protest.

“I can’t be Hokage,” Kakashi states bluntly.

“Actually, you can. Normally, all active ANBU are exempt from consideration, but you are no longer an active member of ANBU,” Fugaku reminds Kakashi who frowns, remembering the meeting with Tsunade right before the attack.

“What?” Iruka asks softly.

“It happened while you were training,” Inoichi explains, though that doesn’t explain anything. Iruka lets it slide for now. He’ll ask Kakashi later.

“Look, the fact of the matter is, Konoha is vulnerable. We need someone strong enough to lead us. Right now it’s temporary. We need someone to have final say in decisions and to act as the village’s head. Should Tsunade-sama wake up then the hat would fall back to her, though she would continue training you to eventually take over for good,” Shikaku states bluntly.

“This is really happening,” Kakashi mutters a little wide-eyed.

“It’s really happening,” Cat finally speaks up and Kakashi glances at the ANBU commander. “Try not to fuck it up.”

“No promises,” Kakashi mutters, rubbing at his eye before he nods. “Okay, I…I guess I’ll take it for now. The moment she wakes up though, I’m throwing it back at her,” he adds.

“We figured,” Inoichi mutters with a snort of laughter.

~*~

Iruka stares around the achieve room with a look of despair. It’s been years since he last did anything back here and it shows. He usually tried to keep it somewhat organized, but whoever has been working here is not so inclined.

He’s not sure how Kakashi managed to rope him into being his temporary assistant. He does recall there being some pleading and praising Iruka for his skill with paperwork and then next thing he knew, they were in the office and Iruka was being piled with scrolls to go through.

Shizune had sent him an understanding look and had at least helped him figure out what exactly he needed to do. And now here he is, in the underground archives, dust about to make him sneeze and despairing of finding the documents he’d requested three times that no one could find.

He makes a mental note to himself to get some people down here to do a full cleaning and organizing, but right now, most everyone is needed for rebuilding and missions to keep bringing money in to the village.

Shaking his head, he dives in and eventually finds the scroll he needs, in the wrong section set on top of the shelf covered in dust. Wiping it off, he heads back up and tries to get the dust out of his hair. Kakashi takes one look at him and smirks. “Trying to copy me or has the stress finally gotten to you?” he asks.

Iruka flips him off and settles at his desk to finish the task he started. They manage to go an hour with people coming and going with various scrolls and such before a hurried knocking at the door has them looking up. A chuunin comes in at Kakashi’s call and holds out a black scroll case. Iruka eyes the distinctive golden symbol on it: Kumo.

The man bows after handing it to Kakashi and leaves. Arching a brow at Iruka, Kakashi opens the scroll case and pulls out the thin scroll to unroll it. His eye widens a bit and Iruka stands to walk over to his desk. “What is it?” he asks.

“From the Raikage himself. He’s calling a Summit five days from today to be held in Iron,” Kakashi murmurs.

“Does it say why?” Iruka asks, taking the scroll from him to skim it as well.

“It doesn’t, but it does specify I can only bring two with me,” Kakashi says with a frown.

“Itachi and Tenzo,” Iruka says easily, already figuring out how to make that work.

“No,” Kakashi says and Iruka looks at him. “We need Tenzo here. I hate to use him as such, but the quicker we can get our people into homes, the less vulnerable we’ll be. I want you and Itachi with me if Tsunade isn’t awake by the time we leave,” Kakashi says evenly.

“I’m a liability,” Iruka points out.

“Here or there, they’ve shown barriers and walls mean nothing. They need both of you so for now, splitting you two up, even for a bit will make their plans even harder to complete and will keep them guessing. Plus, I don’t trust this to not somehow be part of Akatsuki’s plans. Gather all the Kage in one place and attack. We know they’ve already got at least three to five bijuu in their possession. If they’ve already gotten them hosts, such an assault wouldn’t be hard. I need you for your fire power and your sensing,” Kakashi states simply.

“I…Naruto won’t like it, but he’ll understand,” Iruka huffs. “When do we leave?”

“Tomorrow morning. It’ll take a few days of hard travel just to reach Iron’s border and even longer to reach the meeting point,” Kakashi says and Iruka nods, already handing back the scroll.

“I’ll tell Naruto and the rest of Team Kakashi. You get Tenzo and the others. Want me to pack for you?” Iruka asks, already sifting through what they’ll need for the road ahead and remembering that Iron is cold as hell.

“Please,” Kakashi says with an eye smile. Nodding, Iruka leaves the office to find Naruto and the others as he builds a check list to be completed before tonight.

~*~

“Iruka-nii, do you really have to go?” Naruto asks the next morning as he gathers everything in the early hours of predawn.

“Yes, Naruto. Itachi and I will watch Kakashi’s back and vice versa. I need you here to protect the village should anything try to attack while we’re still vulnerable, okay?” Iruka murmurs, ruffling a hand through Naruto’s hair.

“I guess,” Naruto pouts. “You’ll be okay, right?” he asks softly.

“As safe as I can be. Plus, I’ve got this,” he pulls out a Hiraishin tag. “If need be, I can get Itachi, Kakashi and myself back to a predetermined location should we need to get out quickly, okay?” Iruka reassures him before tucking the seal back into his pouch.

“Fine,” Naruto grumbles before hugging Iruka fiercely. “Come back safe, okay,” he whispers.

“I’ll always try my hardest to come back to you…always,” he emphasizes quietly, hugging him back. Pulling apart, Naruto wipes at his eyes as Iruka bends down to pick up his heavy cloak. They’re heading into ice and snow territory and he doesn’t want to freeze to death. “Be good.”

“No promises,” Naruto says cheekily and Iruka grins back.

Naruto follows him out of the tent and they see Itachi has already arrived and is talking to Tenzo and Kakashi. Kakashi glances up as his arrival. “Ready?” he asks.

“As I’ll ever be,” Iruka says with a nod to Tenzo who smiles back.

“The others are in charge while I’m gone. If Tsunade wakes up, tell her she can have the damn hat as soon as I step foot back in the village,” Kakashi adds and Tenzo rolls his eyes, but nods.

“The faster you get there, the faster you can figure out what this is about and the faster you can come home,” Tenzo points out and Kakashi nods.

“Be safe. I better see my village rebuilt by the time I get back,” Kakashi jokes.

“Don’t push your luck, senpai,” Tenzo mutters and shoos the three of them away.

Waving one last time to the others, they bound over the Hatake Compound walls and out into the remains of the village. It’s still depressing to see the crater, though it’s slowly being altered day by day, shinobi using Dotons to shape and fill in most of it. Too much earth was removed to completely erase the scar on the village, but they can lessen it at least. There’s already plans to build in it once the land shaping crews are done moving the earth, laying the pipes for plumbing and even creating canals to channel water from the river to parts of the crater.

“No Sasuke to see you off?” Iruka asks Itachi once they clear the crater and outer wall of the village.

“We said our farewells before I arrived at the Hatake Compound,” Itachi admits with a faint smile. “He promised to keep Naruto in line,” he adds.

“So Sakura is going to tie them both up and toss them in a closet then,” Kakashi speaks up.

“Pretty much,” Iruka admits and the three laugh at the thought.

~*~

“Tell me again why you needed me to come,” Iruka demands as they wade through snow, more buffeting them as storm makes itself known. This far north, there are not enough trees to go high, so they’re forced to run over the snow banks and rocky outcroppings.

“Because you love me and would prefer my head remain connected to my neck,” Kakashi says, sending Iruka an eye smile.

“I guess,” Iruka mutters, ignoring the snort from Itachi as he wipes another fistful of snow from his face. He’d thankfully packed gear for the snow, but unfortunately, he doesn’t have anything for his eyes and the snow bites and stings at his exposed skin. He can feel the Kyuubi’s annoyance resonating in his bones. It’s creature of fire and wind. It doesn’t like snow and ice.

Finally, just as what little light they have to see by is waning, they see the place they’ve been running to for the last four days straight with intermittent breaks. Rather than stop for the night, they keep pushing and manage to make the edge of the fortress just as true dark enfolds the muffled white world.

A few samurai spot them on patrol and Kakashi reluctantly dons the hat and robe before they get closer. “Hokage-sama, we’ve been waiting for you,” one says with a bow and Kakashi nods. “If you and your guards will follow us, we’ll show you to your rooms. We’re waiting for the Raikage to arrive and then the Summit can begin,” he adds.

They follow the two samurai deeper into the fortress, noting the increased patrols with each layer of protection they walk through. Iruka shares a glance with Itachi and can guess what he’s thinking. It won’t stop Tobi, no matter how many walls or people you place in his way.

Iruka lets out a soft sigh of relief when they enter the rooms given to Kakashi and feels heat enfold them. Even with the Kyuubi’s healing and the general increase in his own internal temperature because of the fox, he’d still felt every mile of the cold.

As Kakashi and Itachi unpack their things, Iruka pulls out his seals and set up a temporary ward system in the room. Better safe than sorry. It should give them time to react even if Tobi somehow realizes Iruka is here and decides to come into the room.

Finished, Iruka accepts the ration bar from Itachi and settles on the couch in the room. “Can you sense anything?” Kakashi asks, expression serious.

Iruka settles in a meditative position and closes his eyes, letting the world fall away as he senses out. Drawing the natural energy to himself, he breathes with the world and sees what life is around them. “I see many samurai, as well as what I think is the other three groups. I see no signs of Tobi or any other Akatsuki member that I know of,” Iruka opens his eyes and for a moment, he can see the threads of chakra woven through their bodies, the spark that is their life force before he lets the sage chakra go and he blinks the vision away.

“Well, I doubt he’ll be here just yet,” Kakashi mutters.

“You think he’ll be here, Kakashi-taichō?” Itachi asks.

“Expect the worst, hope for the best,” Kakashi says with a shrug. Iruka nods, though he hates how it always seems to be the worst happening.

~*~

Kakashi hats the hat. Partially because he never wanted to be Hokage and partially because the hat is a fucking eye sore and it limits his line of sight which is already severely limited. Iruka just snorts and plonks the damn thing on his head with a pointed look and motions him forward. The Raikage had finally arrived yesterday afternoon and now, the morning after his arrival, the meeting is happening.

Kakashi silently follows Iruka and Itachi’s path into the upper area of the meeting room before taking his seat in the center of the U-shaped table. He nods to Gaara, the Kazekage sending him a nod back and a look that he guesses means he spotted Iruka and wants to meet up. No surprise there.

He eyes the other Kage as they get settled. A looks just like his father had, though there’s much more cunning and calculation in his eyes than his father though Kakashi only ever saw him the once. The Tsuchikage, Ōnoki, is just as he remembers from the few times he’s seen him on missions, though older. He’s also well aware of the power that man holds with his very unique abilities. The Mizukage he does not recognize. Last he was aware, Yagura was Mizukage. This woman is not someone he’s run into, but her description matches up with an entry from his bingo book: Terumi Mei. If she’s who he thinks she is he’ll steer clear of her should a fight break out.

As Mifune calls the meeting to order, Kakashi sets his hat down with a hidden grimace. He lets the others speak first. Terumi is the first to speak out. “Raikage, perhaps you would be so kind as to tell us exactly why you dragged us all the way to these frozen wastes. I for one do not like to be so far from home, especially with how…volatile things have been of late,” she murmurs with a faint grimace.

A snorts, but sits back with a nod, arms crossing over his barrel chest. “Akatsuki,” he states bluntly and Kakashi hears the murmurs in the guards above them as pinched looks cross the other’s faces.

“We are already aware of them,” Gaara speaks up. “In fact, as I recall, Konoha sent out a warning about them that most of you ignored.” Eyes glance towards Kakashi and Kakashi eye smiles, waving his fingers at them. “As I’m sure you’re all aware, I was once a Jinchuuriki, before Akatsuki attacked and took the bijuu from within me. It very nearly killed me. When Suna called for aid from the other countries, only Konoha’s previous Kage offered any.”

“If you can’t keep hold of your Jinchuuriki, it’s not our responsibility to help you get them back. Retrieve them in secret, like everyone else,” Ōnoki says snidely.

Gaara sends him a pointed look, “Akatsuki is dangerous and the fact that they have taken so many bijuu means stopping them will be extremely hard.”

“It takes time to cultivate the power of a bijuu and Jinchuuriki. The host and the bijuu must grow together to become enough of a threat,” Ōnoki adds. “As I’m sure you’re aware, Kazekage.”

“The only ones who could control the bijuu, the Shodaime Hokage and Madara, are long since dead and of the Jinchuuriki, only two that I know of have ever had any actual control of the beast: the Yondaime Mizukage and the Raikage’s brother, B,” Terumi says simply.

“Stop you’re fucking yapping,” A shouts. Kakashi tenses at A’s growled words and then the man slams a fist onto the table with a smash as the guards flash into the room. He can feel Iruka behind him, one hand on his shoulder and one holding his wakizashi. Itachi is crouched in front of him, Sharingan active and ready to move at a moment’s notice.

“Well now, this is certainly fun,” he murmurs into the silence of the room as everyone waits for someone to move. He feels Iruka do a gentle squeeze on his shoulder in reprimand, but doesn’t look up at him.

“Raikage-sama, we are here to have a civilized discussion. If you cannot refrain from such unseemly displays, we will end these talks right now,” Mifune warns.

A snorts, but nods and motions for his two guards to back off. Kakashi doesn’t even twitch as Iruka squeezes his shoulder again before he and Itachi return to their place behind him and the rest soon clear out.

“Konoha, Iwa, Suna, Kiri…Akatsuki is made up of your missing nin. As well, I know that there are those among you, including former Kage, who have used Akatsuki for their own purposes,” A spits out with a hard glance around the room, a few not meeting his gaze.

“What do you mean ‘used’?” Gaara speaks up.

“He means mercenaries,” Kakashi speaks up in the ensuing silence. “With peace between countries and the de-escalation from war, military forces become a drain on a country, such as shinobi villages. Forces are reduced to lessen this drain, but the threat of war always hangs over everyone, so to cover this gap, countries have called in mercenaries like Akatsuki, to fight our battles,” Kakashi explains simply. “It takes time and costs money to rebuild up and train an army. Mercenaries like Akatsuki however, they’re professionals and relatively cheap to hire compared to the costs of maintaining a military force. They’re known for getting the job done, isn’t that right?” he asks the others with another eye smile.

“Don’t think I’m not aware of Konoha’s sins,” A growls at Kakashi.

“Oh, I’m well aware of our past sins,” Kakashi says simply, recalling Danzō. He hears Iruka shift behind him, no doubt recalling the same thing.

“Suna attacked Konoha using Akatsuki, though I’m unsure if Orochimaru was still part of Akatsuki by that point, but either way, it led to the deaths of the Sandaime Hokage and the Yondaime Kazekage. As for Kirigakure, you are the most suspicious here. Without any diplomatic ties and rumors that Akatsuki formed in Kiri, you stand out the most of the five of us,” A says with a frown and pointing at the Mixukage.

The Mizukage’s gaze lowers for a moment, “I can’t confirm it, but it’s possible,” she admits with a faint nod.

“Well if you hadn’t continued to amass power and techniques during a time of disarmament, perhaps we wouldn’t have had to turn to Akatsuki,” Ōnoki snaps out angrily. “If anything, you drove us to this point.”

Kakashi shifts, resting his chin on his palm and speaks up, “You’re wrong,” he says simply and all eyes turn to him. “About Akatsuki’s origins that is.”

“And you know this how?” A demands.

“We’ve spoken with one of their leaders,” he says with an eye smile. “Akatsuki, the original Akatsuki I might add, started in Ame. A resistance force set against Hanzō. I’m sure you all remember him,” Kakashi says idly.

“So, what, Akatsuki is an old resistance group then?” Ōnoki demands.

“No, the old Akatsuki crumbled under Hanzō’s strength and a betrayal from one Konoha’s darker sins,” Kakashi says.

“Danzō,” A murmurs.

“Exactly,” Kakashi murmurs. “As far as we can tell, the current Akatsuki grew from the corpse of the old group. They had two leaders: one was named Pain who is the face of the group so to speak, and the other we have deduced is the one named Tobi who works from the shadows.”

“How sure are you of this information? Would you stake your life on it?” Ōnoki demands.

“I would,” Kakashi says seriously. “As well, I feel I should warn you, Tobi has a Sharingan, though we do not know whether it is an implant or…an actual Uchiha.”

“So Konoha is behind this,” Ōnoki snaps out.

“If Konoha was really behind this, why would they have given away such a valuable bit of intel?” Terumi snaps back.

Mifune straightens. “The fact of the matter is, whoever the true leader of Akatsuki is, they read the signs, playing your suspicions and the de-escalation against you. They’re smart and far thinking as they’re already steps ahead of you. However,” Mifune says before tempers can rise. “There is a silver lining to this.”

He looks around the room. “It’s rare for the Kage to gather like this. Perhaps in this time of crisis, until Akatsuki is taken care of, the five great nations can set aside their petty differences and squabbles, and focus on the true threat before them?” Mifune calls out, looking at each Kage for a long moment before moving onto the next.

“An Alliance?” Gaara speaks up.

“We’ve never faced something like this before,” Terumi murmurs.

“The chain of command will need to be uniform to avoid any confusion,” Mifune speaks up.

“Who will lead this army then?” Ōnoki demands.

“Since you will only fight amongst yourselves trying to decide, as the neutral party here, I believe I will be best suited to decide who is the most suited for the job,” Mifune speaks up.

“I see no problem with this,” Kakashi murmurs. The others slowly agree.

“We will reconvene in two hours after I have spoken with each of you,” Mifune decides. The meeting breaks up as the group disperses.

~*~

They regather two hours later. Mifune stands before them with a serious expression and finally speaks. “After much deliberation and speaking with each of you respectively, I have come to a decision. Currently, the only hosts left are the two Kyuubi Jinchuuriki. Much seems to revolve around the two of them. As such, I feel it should fall to Konoha to lead this alliance,” he finally finishes.

The others break out into demands, denials and just exclamations of surprise. “If that is something we can agree on, I’ll do it,” Kakashi says with a shrug into a break in the noise.

“Why him?” A demands. “Konoha is just as responsible for Akatsuki’s threat. They even admitted to the possibility of one of their own being the leader of the group.”

“Then who?” Mifune asks simply.

“Kumo has had no hand in Akatsuki’s creation.  As such, I am the only one trustworthy enough-,” A starts to shout.

“I do not agree,” Mifune says simply and A falters as Mifune points to the table. “While emotion and power are important and necessary for any leader to command a force, someone who is ruled by them will only bring ruin upon this new alliance.” He glances around. “I am only a neutral party offering a suggestion. The Kazekage is too new and inexperienced. The other countries will not accept it. On the other hand, the Tsuchikage is too old and has mobility problems. As well, his use of Akatsuki has left him the least trustworthy. Kirigakure has had dealings with Akatsuki before in one form or another and there is the threat of spies. Whatever Akatsuki plans revolves around the bijuu and their hosts. We cannot allow the last of them to fall into their hands. As the remaining two are in Konoha, it’s only right that they lead this alliance.”

“I refuse to be a part of an alliance that would require my village to reveal its intentions,” A roars out.

“I don’t think the decision should fall to any of us,” Kakashi speaks up and the room grows silent.

“Then who should be the one to make the decision?” Gaara asks.

Kakashi eye smiles at them. “Iruka, please come down here,” Kakashi calls out. Iruka appears next to him though he can see the tension in his frame and the brief annoyed glance he shoots at Kakashi before facing forward. “Since this whole thing with Akatsuki revolves around the bijuu and jinchuuriki, shouldn’t they have the say in this?” Kakashi asks as the room turns to Iruka. Kakashi looks up at Iruka. “What say you, Iruka? You and Naruto are the ones Akatsuki are after? Whom should we choose?” Kakashi asks.

~*~

Iruka is going to strangle Kakashi later for putting him on the spot like this. He can feel every eye in the room on him. He hates being the center of attention like this. “This is one of the Kyuubi’s jinchuuriki?” A demands.

Iruka bows. “Raikage-sama, Mizukage-sama, Tsuchikage-sama, Kazekage-sama, Mifune-sama, I am Umino Iruka, one of the two Kyuubi Jinchuuriki,” Iruka states simply and straightens.

“Well played,” Mifune says with a nod at Kakashi and the man nods back.

“Sly fox,” Tsuchikage mutters.

“I prefer hound,” Kakashi says and Iruka has to resist kicking the man’s ankle in front of the whole of the Kage Summit.

“Well, Umino-san. Seeing as you have the most at stake currently amongst us, what is your vote?” Terumi asks with a smile.

Iruka really hates politics. Taking a breath, he looks at Mifune. “Mifune-sama is correct in his recommendation and not because my home is Konoha,” Iruka says before A can yell. “Of all of you, Hokage-sama has had the most recent battles with Akatsuki. He’s knows better than most how they operate and how they attack. If anyone can create some plan to counteract them, it would be him. Even you must admit this, Raikage-sama,” Iruka murmurs, eyeing the larger man.

“Couldn’t the same be said about you, Kyuubi Jinchuuriki?” a voice calls out and Iruka reacts before his mind catches up, kunai flying as he whirls around to throw it at the presence above and behind him.

As usual, it goes through Tobi to embed in the wall. Iruka doesn’t stop the growl that rumbles out of his throat, though he keeps a tight grip on the Kyuubi. They can’t go charging in, not if they want to avoid being captured. He keeps his eyes on the man’s chest and hips, avoiding his gaze.

“Don’t waste your chakra, Raikage,” Kakashi snaps out as the man goes to lunge at Tobi. “It won’t hit him,” he explains.

“Always so perceptive, Hokage-sama,” Tobi murmurs in the silence.

“Who the hell are you?” Ōnoki snaps out.

“My name is Uchiha Madara and I think it’s time I told you of my Moon’s Eye Plan,” Madara says, head cocking to the side slightly.

“Madara died decades ago,” A growls out, stepping closer aggressively.

“To the world, yes, Uchiha Madara died. It was convenient and gave me the freedom to start working on my plan. However, my wounds received at the hands of Senju Hashirama were real,” Madara murmurs. “I am nothing more than an echo of what I once was.”

“So what, you’re taking the bijuu to regain power?” Terumi asks.

“No, my plan is much simpler than that. I plan to have everything become one with me. I plan to achieve a ‘complete form’, in which all is united,” he says simply.

“That makes no sense,” Gaara speaks up, sand hissing around him.

“Allow me to explain then. There is a stone monument that has been passed down amongst the Uchiha for generations,” he starts off with and Iruka sees the minute way Itachi tenses nearby. “You know what I speak of, Uchiha Itachi,” he says with a nod. “Even now it rests beneath the compound in Konoha. Written upon the stone are secrets, placed there by the Sage of the Six Paths himself. Without the Sharingan it’s impossible to read the entirety of what is written. The Sharingan can see some, the Mangekyō can see more and finally, the Rinnegan can see all of what was written,” he says and Iruka recalls Pain.

“What the hell does the Sage have to do with this?” Ōnoki snaps. “We’re getting into ridiculous tales. The man is just a myth.”

“You may think he’s a myth, but he lived once and he left us this monument,” Madara says simply.

“Enough of this dawdling. What the fuck does this have to do with your Moon’s Eye Plan,” A roars.

“Tell me Kage, how did such a man become a figure whispered about in myths, written about as a legend?” Madara asks and no one speaks up. “A man considered to be a god, even amongst shinobi, what power must he have held.”

“I assume you possess a Mangekyō, if you really are Madara and Akatsuki holds the Rinnegan. So tell us what was inscribed on this monument you speak of,” Terumi calls out patiently.

Madara nods. “In a time before the Warring Clans Era, in a time before even shinobi existed, the Sage saved the world from a monster. A beast of unfathomable power,” Madara starts off with.

“A monster?” Gaara speaks up.

Madara nods. “You once housed part of this creature. Iruka holds one piece even now. A being comprised of all nine bijuu fused into one…the Juubi.”

Iruka feels the Kyuubi stir in his gut, can feel the rumbling growl in his bones and shivers faintly at the idea of such a being of power. “That’s impossible,” Temari cries out from behind Gaara.

“Perhaps to your limited imagination but it once existed. The Ichibi to the Kyuubi all once were one being before the Sage divided them,” Madara continues. “He created and passed down a technique that is being used to this day, a means to seal and contain the bijuu…the ability to create a Jinchuuriki.”

Iruka’s blood runs cold as the pieces are laid before him. “No,” he whispers, hand pressing against his stomach, feeling the pulse of the Kyuubi’s chakra against the seal there.

“You see it already, don’t you?” Madara says. “The Sage was once the Juubi’s Jinchuuriki. In order to stop its rampage and later divide its immense power, he sealed the creature’s power within his own body before launching its physical form into the sky which even now hangs over us…the moon. For his actions he was worshiped like a god. When he neared his deathbed, he knew the Juubi would escape to return to terrorizing the world, so he divided its power into the bijuu we know today, scattering them around the world.”

“So, you are attempting to recreate the Sage’s deeds. To gather all the fragmented chakra and become the next Juubi Jinchuuriki,” Mifune finally speaks up. “But once you have that power, what do you plan?”

“With the power of the Juubi, I will magnify the power of my eyes to the ultimate level and use a certain jutsu,” Madara says simply.

“And what jutsu would that be?” Kakashi speaks up.

“A massive-scale genjutsu reflecting my eyes off the moon’s surface: the Infinite Tsukuyomi,” Madara says simply and Itachi gasps audibly. “I will cast my genjutsu upon all humans living on the earth’s surface. By controlling all humanity with my genjutsu, I will become one with the world,” he finishes evenly. “It will be a world without hate or conflict. Everything will be one with me, everything united.”

“To hell with that. Like I’ll let you do such a thing,” A roars.

“Such a world will only be a lie, false and without substance,” Gaara states quietly.

“That is a meaningless world. No hopes, no dreams, we would stagnate,” Terumi calls out.

“This sounds more like an attempt to rule all through forced control than a means to any kind of peace, false or not,” Ōnoki barks out.

“And you think you could do any better, you who were willing to go to war simply to pick who would run your little Alliance?” Madara calls out and the room grows silent. “You must realize by now…there is no such thing as hope. It is just another means of giving up. It holds no meaning to me,” Madara states bluntly.

“You have two options here, Kage. Hand over the Hachibi and the Kyuubi Jinchuuriki, cooperate with me operation, or face war,” Madara states simply, hands waving slightly.

“H-Hachibi…you took B already,” A gets out.

Madara shakes his head. “It would seem he was much more crafty than planned and managed to escape capture. It would seem his true perfection of being a Jinchuuriki has unlocked abilities I had not accounted for,” Madara admits.

“Why that-,” A starts to scream out.

“We will not hand them over to you,” Gaara calls out, cutting A off.

“I concur,” Terumi adds.

“I will not bend to your demands,” Ōnoki shouts.

“Like I will hand my brother to you,” A shouts out.

“Very well,” Madara says softly. “I may have no power myself, but I do possess the power of the bijuu I have already taken. You have no hope for victory,” Madara reminds them.

“We will not abandon hope,” Gaara says firmly.

“Very well. In that case, I hereby declare the start of the Fourth Shinobi War,” Madara states aloud.

“Are you serious?” Ōnoki snaps.

“I’m not fool enough to jest about such things,” Madara states simply. “The next time we meet will be on the battlefield.” He darts forward towards Iruka and stops on the table in front of him, Kakashi and Itachi moving to place themselves between them. “When next I speak your name, you will come to me willingly,” Madara murmurs and the air whirls around him and he disappears.

Iruka feels a tremor work through his body and has to suppress the urge to run and hide somewhere. He can feel the Kyuubi shifting restlessly in his gut, anger bubbling up in his throat and he’s afraid to open his mouth least that anger manifest in some physical way.

“What now?” Ōnoki asks aloud as the silences goes on after the man’s departure.

“We must form the Shinobi Alliance, there is no other way to oppose the power of seven bijuu,” Gaara states bluntly.

“I seem to recall you being set against such an idea, Raikage-sama,” Terumi says, sending a glance to the larger man.

A huffs in annoyance. “It seems no harm has come to my brother, but I refuse to allow Akatsuki to have their way with us any longer. We’ll form this alliance and settle this as quickly as possible,” he snaps out.

“Raikage-sama, we must make arrangements to track down B at once,” C calls out. “If they’re really after the Hachibi and Kyuubi, then they’ll surely be tracking him even now.”

“C, send word to the village for them to put together a search party,” A orders.

“Yes sir,” C nods and turns to walk away.

“In order to stop his ‘Moon’s Eye Plan’ we can’t allow him to get ahold of the Hachibi and Kyuubi Jinchuuriki. As such, it would be prudent for our alliance to locate them and relocate them somewhere secret, to hide them,” Terumi speaks up.

“Madara is not one to boast lightly. If he says he has the seven other bijuu to add to his might and some way to control them, shouldn’t we use the Hachibi and Kyuubi on our side as well?” Ōnoki asks.

“No,” Kakashi speaks up and the group looks to him. “It’s a ploy, a lure,” Kakashi states bluntly. “Even with seven bijuu, he doesn’t have the strength or manpower anymore to hunt down the remaining two bijuu. The risks would be too high. He called this war hoping we would use them to make capturing them easier.”

“I can agree with that,” Terumi agrees.

“Same,” A nods with a huff. “We would simply be handing them over on a silver platter to involve them in the war. And I don’t know what kind of people the Kyuubi’s two jinchuuriki are, but B is not one to sit idly by and follow any strategies or plans we might make. He’d be more likely to run in head first and would only bring chaos to the battlefield,” A admits.

“I believe Naruto is the same,” Gaara speaks up and Iruka snorts softly.

“You could draw some similarities,” Kakashi adds.

“Then our plan is to locate, retrieve and hide the Hachibi and Kyuubi Jinchuuriki,” Terumi speaks up.

“I will give the necessary information on Killer Bee to Iwa, Suna, Konoha and Kiri to help the search for my brother. Once you locate him, send the information to me. I will be one of the few people he will listen to,” A orders and they nod.

“We have both Kyuubi Jinchuuriki accounted for,” Kakashi adds and Iruka nods as well.

Ōnoki scoffs. “Even if we secure and hide them away. If the force protecting them is annihilated, it will be for naught. I still say we should use them in our forces,” he grumbles. “Madara has seven bijuu on his side and their power is far greater than anything we have without them.”

“Are you so sure about that?” Mifune speaks up. He gestures around the room. “Never before has such an alliance been formed before. The amount of power held amongst you combined has never been seen. It is an unknown quantity. Madara knows the risk he is taking with using the bijuu. If it had no risk, he would have not come here to negotiate with you in the hopes of persuading you to his cause. He knows that such an alliance would shift the balance of power and not necessarily in his favor. It is why he was so adamant about pitting you against each other. Furthermore, we samurai will also be joining this battle. Tell me Tsuchikage-dono, are you still worried despite all of this?” Mifune asks.

Ōnoki grumbles, but nods in acceptance. “Now that that is accounted for, we still need to decide on a leader of this Alliance,” Mifune reminds them. “My recommendation still stands,” he adds, looking at Kakashi.

“I will accept Hokage-sama as leader,” Terumi says.

“Same,” Gaara speaks up.

“Raikage-sama, Tsuchikage-sama,” Mifune asks, looking at the two.

“Fine,” Ōnoki mutters.

“With B alive, I’m feeling more inclined to agree with this,” A grumbles. “If only to keep my brother alive and in one piece.”

Kakashi bows. “I will do my best,” Kakashi murmurs, “though I should remind you that there is the possibility that Tsunade will retake the hat.”

“If it comes to that, I have no problem with Tsunade leading,” Terumi agrees and the others agree, some with more reluctance than others.

“We’ll need to speak with our respective Daimyos before we can go any further,” Ōnoki speaks up and they all agree.

“Once we have the Daimyos on board, we’ll meet again to discuss the plan further,” Terumi says.

“Iruka,” Kakashi says and Iruka nods, reaching out to pull out the Hiraishin seal. He’d only planned to use it for an emergency, but if this didn’t count, what does. “If that’s all, we’ll be leaving now,” Kakashi adds.

When no one speaks up, Iruka steps closer to Kakashi, the man gripping his arm as Itachi grips his other arm and he feeds chakra into the seal. With a twist and a jerk, they disappear from the room and appear in the cave Iruka had left the anchor tag in days before, about half a day’s journey from Konoha.

Iruka sits down hard, a little winded from using so much chakra, but also his mind is still swirling with what they were told. “You okay?” Kakashi asks, kneeling in front of him.

“No,” Iruka huffs out, rubbing at his face. “When will this end?” he demands in frustration.

“I don’t know,” Kakashi admits softly.

“Naruto is going to hate this, hiding away while others go out to fight,” Itachi adds.

Iruka snorts, but there’s very little humor in it. “I don’t like it either,” he reminds them, looking up at the two. “How long will we have to hide away? We can’t even lay a hand on Tobi…Madara, whatever his name is and with seven bijuu behind him, what chance will we have?”

“A better chance than we did before,” Itachi speaks up and Iruka looks at him. “Don’t let him win, Iruka. He wants you doubting and giving up.”

“I’m aware of that, but I also have to be realistic,” Iruka snaps, pushing up from the ground to start pacing. “A lot of people are going to die because of this…because one man wants power. I just…I’m so fucking tired,” Iruka snaps out. “Tired of always being a pawn on someone’s chess board. My whole life has been a series of moves, one after the other with only the hand changing and now this!”

Kakashi stops his pacing, grabbing his flak vest and tugging him into a hug. “Why is it always us?” Iruka asks, voice muffled in Kakashi’s chest as he clings to the man.

“I don’t know,” Kakashi admits, “But we’re going to stop it, one way or another.”

Iruka just stands there, letting Kakashi hold him until he feels the rage simmer back to lower levels before he sighs and pulls back with a thin smile. “I’m okay,” he murmurs, stepping back. Rubbing at his face a bit, he lets his hands fall. “We should get back and let the other’s know what happened.”

Kakashi eyes him, but finally nods and they turn to exit the cave, Iruka grabbing the anchor seal on his way passed. Itachi touches his arm, sending him a look before turning away and they silently run through the trees back towards home.

They see the walls of Konoha just as the sun starts to set. “Someone is waiting for us,” Iruka speaks up, sensing the familiar chakra waiting near the gate. “It’s Shisui,” he adds.

Shisui straightens as they near and waves. “Did something happen?” Kakashi asks before they even stop moving.

“Yeah,” Shisui says with a nod and a smile. “Tsunade woke up this morning,” he informs them.

Kakashi sighs, “She’s not going to like the news I bring,” he mutters.

Shisui looks at Iruka. “Jiraiya’s awake as well,” he adds and Iruka lets out a relieved sigh too.

~*~

“The Fourth Shinobi War?” Tsunade snaps as they explain everything that happened at the Summit.

“Pretty much,” Kakashi drawls. “We’ll probably be getting word soon from the Daimyo if he and the other lords approve the alliance.”

“Jeez kid, you don’t do anything by halves,” Jiraiya rasps out from his partial propped up bed. One eye is still swollen shut, but the other is open as he glances at Iruka next to his bed. Naruto had already been in to visit him earlier and is currently training with Sakura and Sasuke.

“And you made me fucking leader of this whole fucking thing,” Tsunade snaps.

“To be fair, they chose me, but it was still unsure if or when you’d wake up,” Kakashi points out.

“Yeah, yeah, can it, Hatake-brat. We’ll since you’re my successor, might as well get you some training in. Shizune,” Tsunade snaps and the healer walks into the room. “Start organizing a war planning session. First thing tomorrow and get me something to eat, I’m starving,” she snaps.

“Yes, Tsunade-sama,” Shizune nods before rushing out.

“Be there, on time, Kakashi. Don’t make me hunt you down,” Tsunade snaps and Kakashi nods.

“Kid, you and the brat come by tomorrow to. Need to talk to the two of you,” Jiraiya rasps out and Iruka nods.

“I’ll drag him here,” Iruka reassures him.

“We’ll go on, give us some peace and quiet,” Tsunade snaps and they soon leave after a quick farewell.

~*~

Naruto is quiet after Iruka explained what happened and what is coming. He’s pensive, not that Iruka blames him. It seems like half the time, everything that can happen, does happen to them. Iruka doesn’t try and cheer him up or say much, simply letting him know he’s there for him if he needs someone to talk to. Iruka got his moment to rant and rave earlier. Naruto deserves his time to come to terms with what is happening around him.

Still, the next morning, he smiles wanly at Iruka as they grab a quick breakfast and head for the hospital where Jiraiya is still at. It’s still fairly early and most visitors haven’t arrived, though the hospital is still as busy as ever.

They head up to Jiraiya’s room and find the man there, awake and waiting. Tsunade’s bed is empty, the woman already back to work after waking. He’s not expecting to see Fukasaku sitting on the side table talking quietly with Jiraiya.

“Fukasaku-san, it’s good to see you,” Iruka says as they open the door and step through.

“Iruka-kun, Naruto-chan, it’s good to see you two as well. Jiraiya explained what is happening here to me,” Fukasaku says as Naruto and Iruka snag a chair and settle beside the Sannin.

“Yeah,” Iruka murmurs with a frown. “Jiraiya, what did you need to speak with us about?” Iruka asks, looking at the bed bound man.

Jiraiya looks at Fukasaku and the toad speaks up. “I actually needed to speak with you,” he admits. “The great elder needs to speak with you.”

“What is this about?” Iruka asks.

“It’s about your future, or what he has seen about it,” Fukasaku explains.

“So are we just-,” Naruto starts to ask before they both feel a jerking motion and appear in the middle of a clearing filled with huge plants, the humidity suddenly increasing.

“Reverse summoning,” Iruka says and Fukasaku nods. “We’ll, let’s go see what the great elder has to say,” he says with a sigh.

They follow behind Fukasaku to the great elder’s home. They’ve only been here twice and both times he had only spoken to Naruto, not that Iruka is complaining. The huge toad rests on his dais as usual when they finally arrive.

“Great elder, I have brought them as you asked,” Fukasaku calls out.

“Ah, yes, I called you…what was your name again?” he asks, looking at Naruto.

“Uzumaki Naruto and this is Umino Iruka, come on, you should know our names by now,” Naruto complains.

“Yes, of course,” the elder says. “I have called you because I have seen your future. You will meet an octopus.”

“Octopus?” Naruto asks.

“The vision is cloudy, but I am sure they are octopus tentacles. You will then battle a man with great power in his eyes and-,” he continues.

“I know this already,” Naruto grumbles out.

“Naruto,” Iruka reprimands softly.

“You have seen this?” the elder asks.

“I guess. It’s obvious though. We’ll have to fight him eventually,” Naruto mutters and Iruka sighs, squeezing his shoulder.

“You know who this man is then, with great power in his eyes?” the elder asks.

“We know who he is,” Iruka says with a nod.

“I’m prepared to face him,” Naruto snaps out, eyes burning with determination.

The elder smiles slightly. “Gamatora, I have seen the transfer to them as well. Give them the key to the Fourth’s seal.”

“If you say so, elder,” Gamatora says.

Iruka looks over at the new voice and his eyes widen a little. He remembers him, from that night. The Yondaime had summoned him. The toad unrolls the scroll he’s attached to and lays out in front of them. Iruka steps up with Naruto and looks over the scroll seeing just what exactly it is. “The key to unlocking the seal,” he murmurs.

“What does that mean?” Naruto asks.

“It means, you can unlock and lock the seal on both of you. You could even release the Kyuubi if you wanted,” Fukasaku explains. “Put your hand on that square.”

“Iruka-nii,” Naruto whispers and Iruka turns to look at him. “I don’t want to hurt anyone.”

“What exactly will this entail?” Iruka asks, looking at Fukasaku. “I can guess, but I want to know. I’d rather not lose control again by messing with the seal.”

“Basically, it will allow you to access all the Kyuubi’s chakra,” Gamatora speaks up. “The Yondaime designed the seal to allow a little of the Kyuubi’s chakra to mix naturally with yours, but with this, you could pull even more. However, when you pull on its chakra, you pull not just its power, but its mind and will. It then latches onto any hatred inside you and overwhelms you and takes over. In order to use this, you need to have a strong enough will and no hatred in your heart to filter out the fox’s hatred and use it’s chakra as your own,” Gamatora finishes.

“I thought we shouldn’t rely on the fox?” Naruto asks, looking at Iruka.

“Because it was weakening our seals. This is more like…opening the door and letting out chakra only to reseal it back afterwards fast enough to keep the fox from taking over. It’s risky and if there’s even a hint of hatred in our hearts, he’ll overwhelm us completely and free himself. This is putting our lives on the line for a maybe.”

“Everything is a risk and nothing says you have to use this. I’m just giving you the key, should you decide to use it,” Gamatora says with a shrug.

Iruka stares at the seal. This isn’t the first time he’s seen it. He’d studied it when he was learning seals to help maintain his own seal and later Naruto’s. He’s never seen the full seal though. It’s intricate and detailed. He can see parts the Yondaime altered and the roots from Uzushio.

“The choice is yours Naruto. I can’t make it for you,” Iruka says finally, looking at Naruto. “If anyone can overcome the fox, I think you could. You’re stronger than anyone I’ve ever met. You can do anything you set your mind to.”

“So can you Iruka-nii,” Naruto shoots back and Iruka smiles. Turning Iruka presses his hand to the square and feels the heat of the seal’s key flow through his hand and settles before dissipating. Naruto copies him.

“So where do we start looking for this octopus?” Naruto asks. “Can we get a hint?”

“I don’t know the precise location, but it’s an island where people do not approach. A paradise for all manner of creature,” the elder informs them. Iruka frowns, not sure of any island with the description.

“Well, come on, let’s go, Fukasaku says and they start to walk away. “Ma wanted to say goodbye before I send you back.”

Naruto ranges ahead, spotting Gamabunta and rushing ahead to go talk with the boss toad, Gamakichi appearing on the larger toad’s head. “Iruka-kun,” Fukasaku says softly and Iruka looks down at the toad. “There is something I must tell you…about Naruto,” Fukasaku says and Iruka stops, turning to face the toad full.

“What about Naruto?” Iruka snaps.

“It is in regards to a prophesy foreseen by the Elder,” he admits, hopping up to perch on Iruka’s shoulder. Iruka follows the line of his gaze and sees Naruto laughing and joking with Gamakichi.

“Tell me this prophesy,” Iruka demands.

“It was foreseen that a student of Jiraiya’s would one day be a child of prophecy, who would have the power to either save or destroy the world. A boy with mischievous blue eyes would unite the bijuu and save the world,” Fukasaku tells him.

“Naruto,” Iruka murmurs, heart clinching. “It was talking about Naruto.”

“We believe so. For a time, Jiraiya believed it was Minato, and then he thought it was Nagato whom goes by the name of Pain now. Now, I believe that it was referring to Naruto,” Fukasaku admits.

“Why are you telling me this?” Iruka demands.

“Because you need to know,” Fukasaku says simply. “Because if Naruto is to succeed and save the world, he will need all the help he can get.”

Fukasaku hops down as Iruka stares at Naruto, thoughts swirling over what he just learned. “Iruka-nii!” Naruto calls out and breaks Iruka from his heavy thoughts. “Come on, we need to go back.”

“I’m coming,” Iruka calls back. He glances down at his hand that touched the key. Setting aside his thoughts for now Iruka bounds ahead to catch up with Naruto before Fukasaku sends them back to where they were. When they get back, Jiraiya is already asleep.